Brown may be used as bait in Moltzen battle

Wests Tigers utility Mitch Brown could be offered to St George Illawarra Dragons as compensation if the Tim Moltzen tug-of-war ends with the fullback staying at the Tigers in 2012.

With the NRL taking over the responsibility to determine Moltzen’s home for next season, salary cap auditor Ian Schubert has asked the clubs to submit several documents before a decision is made.

St George Illawarra, the Wests Tigers and Moltzen’s manager, Martin Tauber, have until 4pm this afternoon to lodge a mandatory report, outlining all emails, phone calls and exchanges the clubs have had over the past four months in relation to the player’s future.

The Herald understands the Tigers will consider releasing Brown, who wants to play in the centres, from the final year of his contract if the club is successful in its bid to retain Moltzen.

Brown’s manager, Gavin Orr, has already been in contact with new Dragons coach Steve Price but the club are reluctant to start talks with Brown until the Moltzen debacle is settled.

Mark Gasnier’s retirement leaves a hole in the Dragons back line but with Daniel Vidot and Chase Stanley heading to the club, and with Kyle Stanley and Bronx Goodwin already in their ranks, a centre may not be on the top of St George Illawarra’s wish list.